From the playground to the Superdome: Keenan Lewis always dreamed of becoming a Saint

In the shadow of downtown New Orleans, Keenan Lewis grew up on McDonogh Playground in Algiers with big-time dreams.

"Keenan declared that he was going to be a professional ball player when he was 6 or 7 years old," said his mother, Muriel Lewis.

"Keenan would always want to practice with the big kids. He was always up for a challenge," said Al Wallace, who coached Keenan at the neighborhood playground.

Organized sports was a big thing in the Lewis family. Keenan's uncle coached at the park where he and his older siblings played ball.

"It's just hard to believe it all started here," his mother says as she looked at the playground. "Now I'm going into the Superdome to see Keenan play."

The Superdome is a short distance but a long way from McDonogh Playground and Berhman Stadium, where he played in high school as a standout for O.P. Walker. When's he's not preparing to take the field, you may just find him on the sidelines watching up-and-coming local talent.

"I come every chance I get," said the Saints corner back. "If I don't have film study and I don't have anything to do I'll come out here and show my support," Keenan Lewis said.

The road from Friday night lights to any given Sunday took Keenan through Oregon where he played in college, and Pittsburgh after being drafted by the Steelers in 2009. Lewis was a free agent at the end of last season and unsure of his next move.

"We are going to ask God to send you to the place where you will fit," his mother said.

"I had my mind made up that if they call me no matter how much anyone offered me I'll come home and play," Keenan said.

"That's a dream everybody in the National Football League wants to accomplish, to have the opportunity to play for their hometown team," Lewis said. "So blessed to have the opportunity."

An opportinuty Keenan is taking full advantage of. He came up with a crucial interception in the Saints' win against the Arizona Cardinals.

"It was my mom's birthday. It was special to me. I gave her the game ball," Keenan said.

Playing for the Saints is proof that hard work pays off. Coaches say it's a work ethic Keenan has had since he was a kid.

"Someone his age, in his age group, to him, he always felt that was beneath him. He always wanted to play with the big boys," Wallace said.

He's playing with the big boys on one of the biggest stages--Monday Night Football. Facing the Miami Dolphins also means facing longtime friend turned opponent, wide receiver Mike Wallace, who grew up playing at the same park and high school that Keenan did.

"May the best man win," Lewis said. "I'm sure he feels the same way for me."

As his mother looks at the playground where it all started, she's glad his football journey brought him back to the Big Easy as a son of the city playing for the beloved hometown team. A chance for the Who Dat Nation to root for one of its own, in the Superdome where Keenan's football dreams have turned into reality.

"He always wanted to play in the dome," his mother said. "Now the dome is your home field. Can you imagine that?"

Coaches were more vocal and aggressive with players as training camp pushes ahead full steam. Players clashed with one another in several hard hits and tackles, indicating that ferocity was the name of the game.

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